This is just about the biggest announcement I could imagine making to you and am so proud of our Strathcona Regional District leadership and grateful to the Federal and Provincial governments for their massive funding so that we can deliver this incredible project

Improved broadband connectivity has been an identified need for rural and remote coastal communities for many years, and addressing this need is a priority of our Board. We are excited about the announcement today as the Connected Coast project will provide the capacity for 154 rural and remote coastal communities, including 56 First Nations communities, between Prince Rupert and Vancouver, and around Vancouver Island, with the opportunity to connect to reliable, high-speed internet.

Improved connectivity in the region will significantly enhance the ability of residents to access important services and programs such as telehealth, distance education and access to online programs and services. This will result in improved social and economic opportunities for thousands of Vancouver Island residents and First Nations.

We would like to thank the Connect to Innovate program, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and the Connecting British Columbia program for this funding.

I hope you join me in my excitement. This is an incredible opportunity for us as an organization, but also a massive undertaking.

January 17, 2018Campbell River, BC – Earlier today, the federal Connect to Innovate program, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, and the provincial Connecting British Columbia program announced that they will be funding the Strathcona Regional District’s (SRD) Connected Coast project.

The $45.4 million project, will see the placement of a sub-sea fibre-optic cable along the northern BC coastline from Prince Rupert to Vancouver, and around Vancouver Island, providing 154 rural and remote communities and 44 First Nations communities with the opportunity to connect to the internet.

“Improved broadband connectivity has been a long-standing identified need for rural and remote coastal communities and First Nations and addressing this need is a priority for the SRD Board. We are excited about the announcement today, as once completed, the Connected Coast project will open up new economic and social opportunities for an estimated 175,000 British Columbians living in coastal BC and on Vancouver Island,” says SRD Chair Michele Babchuk.

“Residents will be able to access online learning and health programs, explore economic-development opportunities and participate in online communities and discussions. We would like to thank the Connect to Innovate program, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and the Connecting British Columbia program for this funding.”

The Connected Coast project will also benefit Northern BC residents living in rural and remote communities west of Prince George.

“In submitting the project proposal, we became aware of an opportunity to collaborate with CityWest, an internet service provider operating in Northern BC. By connecting our networks, we will be able to provide more reliable service to both customer groups by providing a redundancy that would allow for continued service during outages,” says SRD CAO David Leitch.

In the coming weeks, the SRD will be reaching out to coastal and Vancouver Island communities, First Nations, regional districts, ISPs and industry to determine needs and possible opportunities.“One of our first priorities will be starting the public and First Nations consultation work. Once we begin to get a clearer sense of the needs and challenges, we will be able to share next steps and further information – including project timelines. This is going to be a massive undertaking for the SRD, and we are excited about the opportunities and challenges which lie ahead,” added Leitch.

The Strathcona Regional District was established in 2008 to provide residents with local government services while also working to strengthen communities and support economic development. For more information about the SRD or the Connected Coast project, please contact the SRD at 250-830-6700 or visit its website at www.srd.ca.

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In profound gratitude and with great excitement, Noba AndersonRegional Director, Cortes Island250-935-0320directorcortesisland.com

Comment by flash.is@shaw.ca on 20th January 2018Can someone explain in practical, concrete, terms exactly what this will mean to an Internet user on Cortes Island?

Thanks,Scott Abercrombie

twitter feed

Comment by Noba Anderson on 18th January 2018Sorry Patricia and others. This twitter feed from the Feds has moved onto the next announcement and no longer covers the one from yesterday. Noba

SRD Announcement

Comment by Dino Twincomm on 18th January 2018Twincomm is excited for this recently awarded grant. We look forward to working with the SRD to bring better internet service to Cortes Island and other communities on the west coast of BC. Please feel free to contact me directly at dino,,,twincomm.ca or call toll free 1-866-446-6004 ext 2 if you have any questions.

problem

Comment by Patricia leRoux on 18th January 2018Your link to the announcement is a twitter page in French. Can you update it?